A Thousand Camels of Grain

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Allah, the Lord of Honour and Glory says, ‘Whoever does one good deed will receive ten rewards, or even more.’” [Muslim]

In the times of Umar (radi Allahu anhu) there was a severe famine. All the people of Madinah were suffering due to the shortage of food. A caravan made up of a thousand camels loaded with a large stock of wheat belonging to Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) arrived from Syria. Several merchants offered to buy it. He asked them what profit they would pay. "Five percent," they said. He answered that he could get a higher profit than that. They began to argue with him, saying that they did not know of any merchant who would offer him more than their quote. But he was not interested in selling it to any of them.

Then they found out that Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) had donated all of the grain to the people of Madinah. Indeed, his deal had been with Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) who returns to you a profit of 700 for every 1 that you spend. It is true that no businessman can give you a better deal than that.

"The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower." [Quran: Surah Baqarah, Ayat 261]

Do business with Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) and follow in the footsteps of Uthman (radi Allahu anhu).